Chapter 258: Road Construction

Fan Laoshi saw Wu An not speaking, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.

This young guy, how can he be so composed?

It left him feeling unsettled, with something on his mind, making eating and drinking unenjoyable.

After eating.

Wu An and Mai Hangyu got together and first exchanged news.

He brewed a pot of tea.

Everyone sat down.

"Fan Laoshi, I've given it serious thought—we can cooperate." Wu An said while pouring a cup of tea for Fan Laoshi: "I'm really looking forward to your plan."

"Thank you." Fan Laoshi raised his hand to accept it vaguely, showing pleasure: "Don't worry, I'll organize it when I go back today and be able to give you a draft the day after tomorrow."

"The blueprints will be ready within five days."

Wu An nodded in agreement, saying: "I have to go out to sea every day; once I'm offshore, there's no signal, so I might not be reachable. If you have anything, contact Mai Hangyu."

"He's the person in charge of this project."

Mai Hangyu instinctively puffed out his chest and lifted his head.

Wu An truly trusted him; he directly approved the design staff Mai Hangyu had found, without any intention of "shopping around for three quotes."

Moreover, he now lets him take full responsibility.

He was so moved he wanted to say, "I don't know how to repay you."

Fan Laoshi blinked, then asked: "Do you often go out to sea for fun?"

Wu An laughed: "No."

"It seems Hangyu hasn't told you yet, but I'm actually a fisherman."

"Going out to sea to fish every day is my job."

"This homestay is just a side investment of mine."

Fan Laoshi, together with his three students, all showed surprised expressions.

Mai Hangyu indeed didn't go into detail with them; he only mentioned the project and that Wu An was the boss, but didn't say what Wu An actually did.

Actually.

Mai Hangyu also felt uneasy, afraid to directly say Wu An was just a fisherman—his pocket only had twenty or so thousand yuan, and Fan Laoshi would never have come over.

After all.

Anyone who knew the specifics would think it unreliable.

With this little money… still want to invest in a homestay?

What a pipe dream.

If it weren't for the fact that following Wu An on a few sea trips brought in big money, Mai Hangyu would surely lack confidence to continue.

Fan Laoshi and the others still thought Wu An was some rich second-generation using his family's money to invest—nothing new, as the saying goes: "Don't fear the rich second-generation squandering on food, drink, and fun; fear the rich second-generation with grand ambitions building a career."

Anyway, they're just here to work.

As long as they get paid, they don't care whether that venture succeeds or not.

Fan Laoshi originally had low expectations, but after visiting in person, Wu An's unique insight into homestay planning, plus Chen Zhuren's guarantee as a local bully, led him to decide to stake his bet on a long-term cooperation with Wu An.

The result.

In the end you tell me, Wu An is a fisherman?

This big contrast made a bespectacled classmate's glasses almost fall to the ground, and he quickly steadied them with his hand.

Fan Laoshi reacted and praised: "Awesome, awesome."

Mai Hangyu's friend Li Xin bumped into him and asked: "Really or not?"

Mai Hangyu laughed: "Of course it's true—how could it be fake?"

Li Xin whispered: "Is this reliable?"

"A fisherman running a homestay?"

"Does he have the capital for that?"

Mai Hangyu's smile faded: "Whether it's reliable or not, what's it to you?"

"Just focus on doing the work well."

He was a bit displeased, actually feeling a little guilty—this couldn't be said outright, but if it were, Wu An would obviously… have no capital.

But Mai Hangyu also had confidence.

Why.

Because Wu An can make money going out to sea—relying on the ocean itself is capital!

Li Xin pursed his lips: "I know, I know, I was just chatting casually—why did you get so worked up?"

Mai Hangyu coughed twice: "I'm the Party A!"

"Public is public, private is private—when it comes to official business, I won't take your friendship into account."

Li Xin gave an embarrassed smile: "Yes, yes, yes."

Damn!

Being Party A is awesome.

He couldn't help but worry that Mai Hangyu wouldn't let him call him "dad" in the future.

……

After finishing the pot of tea, the group set off for the Village Committee.

Chen Zhuren printed the contract at the Village Committee; both sides confirmed it was correct, signed it, and Wu An on the spot paid half the deposit.

Afterwards.

The specific details, naturally, will be handled by Mai Hangyu.

Wu An no longer had to worry.

His main job was fishing, so he often went out to sea; once out, he'd be gone at least half a day, sometimes a day or two, with no phone signal.

Thus.

Mai Hangyu couldn't always accompany him out, so he had to stay in the village.

Thinking of this, Wu An couldn't help but have a headache.

With the workforce already scarce, it became even more stretched thin.

No matter how you say it, the homestay project was officially launched.

Next came the design plan, the village roads, including purchasing various building materials—each item small on its own, but together they were still quite troublesome.

Mai Hangyu alone might not be able to handle it, but Wu An wasn't worried either, after all there was still Lao Mai.

Having an elder in the family is like having a treasure.

He wasn't planning to completely be a hands-off manager; the overall direction remained in his grasp, such as whether the homestay design plan would ultimately be approved.

The decision-making power lay in his hands.

Of course.

The money also came from him, truly spending like flowing water.

Fan Laoshi and his group didn't linger; Mai Hangyu drove them away.

"Hangyu, you've worked hard." Wu An came out to see them off, saying: "Wait until tonight, I'll treat you to a meal."

Mai Hangyu nodded with a smile.

Seeing the car off, Wu An was about to call Foreman Li to ask about the situation; this person wasn't overly scheming, and since Foreman Li had done good work before, he planned to keep hiring Foreman Li.

Shopping around is not bad.

But it's also possible that comparing back and forth yields a result no better than the start.

He just had some doubts: Foreman Li could definitely build houses, but was road repair within his scope of work?

Before he could make the call, Chen Zhuren walked out of the Village Committee office building, waving and shouting: "A An, A An, come here."

Wu An walked over, puzzled.

"Chen Zhuren, what's the matter?"

"Let's go to the office to talk."

They arrived at the office.

Chen Zhuren enthusiastically let him sit first.

Then he poured a cup of tea, placed it in front of Wu An, and said amiably: "Have some tea."

"Thank you." Wu An vaguely took the tea cup; although he was puzzled and didn't know what Chen Zhuren was up to, his manners were impeccable and proper.

"You should often come to the village to get around; since you're running a homestay here, neighborhood relations need to be maintained." Chen Zhuren said with a smile: "When you have time, come by—I'll show you around and introduce you to people."

"Chen Zhuren, then I'll take it seriously—I'll inevitably bother you from now on."

"What's with the politeness? This is also part of my daily work."

Wu An smiled, lifted the tea cup and took a small sip; he wasn't thirsty, but since tea had been poured, not tasting it would look bad.

The tea was a bit hot; drinking it felt like not drinking at all. He said: "Chen Zhuren, if there's something, you might as well speak plainly."

Chen Zhuren's smile never faded as he said: "There is something—I've heard your funds aren't very sufficient."

Wu An wondered how Chen Zhuren knew—Mai Hangyu must have said it—but he replied: "Since Chen Zhuren already knows, I won't hide it from you; indeed, that's the case."

"Young people, quick-witted and bold, daring to venture, strive, and act—this is good." Chen Zhuren paused, then said: "But relying solely on passion and drive also makes it hard to succeed."

"So, I intend to talk with you, also to give you a heads-up."

Wu An thought, finally getting to the point, adjusted his sitting posture slightly to appear more serious, and said: "Please go ahead."

Chen Zhuren took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said: "As the saying goes, to get rich, first build roads."

"So, this road, the village can build it together with you."

"After all, the village roads are in this state; the village bears responsibility."

Wu An's face lit up.

He had wanted to stay calm, but his cultivation was insufficient; such a surprise, suddenly hitting him, he really couldn't keep his composure.

He smiled and said: "Chen Zhuren, you're overpraising me."

"However, if this can be accomplished, it would truly be a great help to me."

"To be frank with you,"

"This road repair wasn't in my expectations; suddenly having to repair roads, I find it quite difficult."

"Thank you, thank you so much."

Chen Zhuren lifted his tea cup, took a sip, and said: "Don't rush to thank me yet."

"I'm only saying we can build it together, but how much the village can participate still needs research to be decided."

"This village isn't my personal fiefdom."

Wu An nodded: "I understand, I understand."

"Whether the village's help is big or small, I'm very grateful."

Chen Zhuren coughed once, then said: "So you need to quickly finalize the road repair matter on your end, preferably with a construction plan and a quotation list."

"That way we can also hold a meeting to study it."

"The sooner the road is repaired, the sooner your homestay can start construction; after all, if the road isn't fixed, not even a car can get in."

"Understood; then I'll finalize this on my end as soon as possible."

"Alright, don't drag it out—some things just get delayed and fail. The village hasn't been light on recent matters either, lacking the energy to spare too much." Chen Zhuren said this, his expression turning somewhat solemn.

Wu An thought to himself, indeed there is no free cheap thing in the world; everything is already secretly priced, even catching a chicken costs a handful of rice, so nothing is cheap.

Chen Zhuren (Chen Zhuren) appears: "Chen Zhuren". Also Wu An.

Even if he can't see it through later, for the Village, a repaired Road is still profit.

This shows how worried they are that he'll run away.

Wu An muttered silently, no matter what, he originally planned to repair the Road first.

If the Village is willing to contribute, he is sure to make a steady profit.

"Alright, I'll definitely do it as soon as possible." Wu An set down his tea cup, stood up, but didn't leave: "By the way, Chen Zhuren, if anyone in the Village is also willing to run a guesthouse, you could introduce them to me."

"I know more about this area, though I wouldn't call myself a guide; I will definitely not keep it hidden."

Chen Zhuren was a bit surprised, not expecting Wu An to be so magnanimous, and said: "Of course that's fine; when the time comes I will definitely pull the strings and build a Bridge."

Chen Zhuren, Wu An.

After leaving the Village Committee, Wu An thought for a moment, then rode his bike to Chen Jun's homestead, personally re-measured the road, and confirmed the road conditions.

Actually, the road that needs repair isn't very long; it's just that some sections need widening and reinforcement, and there's an abandoned large pond along the way that might require piling.

The original bumpy dirt road definitely wouldn't do; it rained yesterday, and today walking still left mud stuck to one's leg, so a paved asphalt or concrete road is definitely impossible.

But laying a gravel road should be fine.

If it's compacted, I don't know if it would work.

He wasn't really clear on the specifics, but after confirming the general situation, Wu An called Foreman Li.

Coincidentally, Foreman Li was working at a village in town, not far away—just three or four kilometers.

After finding Foreman Li, they passed around a round of cigarettes.

They were all familiar faces.

"Handsome, got another job?"

"Yes, road repair."

"Oh wow, that's surprising; I thought you were going to build a new house."

"Then what about the back?"

"Young people have ambition."

A few senior workers took the cigarettes, greeted each other with laughter, and naturally everyone spoke kindly.

After exchanging greetings.

Wu An and Foreman Li sat together, showing Li the photos and videos taken on his phone.

After viewing them.

Foreman Li puffed on his cigarette, nodded and said, "This small job is easy to handle."

"As long as it's confirmed, just bring in the excavator."

"So, in Zhenzhongcun, what road are you going to repair over there?"

Wu An explained that he had bought a homestead intending to run a guesthouse; Foreman Li listened, stunned, and said, "You… you… little guy, you're playing big."

Wu An chuckled.

"Then this guesthouse…"

"Once my design drawings are finalized, I'll start construction; as long as you can handle it on your end, I definitely hope you'll do it."

"We can handle it, we definitely can."

"Then let's just say that, or should we first get the road done?"

"All right, I'll personally go there tomorrow."

"I'm afraid I won't have time; I have a dedicated person in charge of this. When the time comes, contact him—he's the person for Zhenzhongcun." Wu An paused, then continued, "If anything comes up, you can also contact Chen Zhuren of the Village Committee."

Foreman Li laughed and said, "Little guy, you've got a lot of face."

Wu An said, "Where would I get face? It's all money's face."

Foreman Li laughed and poked him with his finger.

After chatting a while, he got up to say goodbye and rode his bike home.

He returned home.

The house was quiet, the hall door still closed; his older brother and sister-in-law were in the east room beside the hall, knowing they were napping, he parked his bike and intended to leave.

He was afraid that if he wasn't careful, he might hear something he shouldn't.

Just as he reached the doorway, he ended up hearing Lao Meng and his father talking from next door.

"That Chen Gui is really sly; today, with the leaders coming, he arranged for the Chen family to send a banner and thank-you letter—this is not just for show, but also to put eye drops on you."

"Hmm."

"What was the reaction of the town leaders?"

"They just looked surprised."

"What did the old village chief say?"

"He didn't say much, just recounted in detail what Chen Gui had done back then, without embellishment."

"The old village chief seemed to help nobody, but speaking up for Chen Gui in front of the leaders is actually an attitude." Lao Meng's tone very displeased: "Look, from start to finish, not to mention you showing your face, you didn't even get a chance to speak."

His father fell silent for a moment, then muttered, "I mainly have no work that needs reporting."